In his book "Think Like a Champion" Donald Trump talks about the time, just after his show The Apprentice first aired, when Tom Brokaw tapped him on the shoulder and thanked him for the success of The Apprentice. Tom Brokaw did this, Trump says, because he is a team player, and NBC was his team, as was Trump. They were both on the same team.
This story got me wondering: What team am I on? It is a fact of human nature that we all want to belong to some group, either formally or informally. This is why there are countless clubs, associations, societies, yes even teams in the world. So what group do I see myself in?
In my work life I belong to my immediate work team; but I also belong to the department and company teams.
In my personal life, the smallest team I can belong to is the husband and wife team. But I also belong to my immediate family, my extended family, my church family. Beyond that it's a little harder to think of my city, province, country ... dare I say the human race? as my team.
The real question is: How big do you think? Do you think only in terms of the people you interact with? Or do you think in terms of a much larger community, perhaps your nation?
When people think in terms of, for example, their tribe/caste/race, it is easy to view members of other tribes/castes/races, but of the same nation, as enemies who deserve to be wiped out or enslaved. Their welfare is not your concern.
I believe the only correct answer to the question "What team am I on?" is "The Human Race". Can I think that big? I hope so. I shall certainly strive to. Will you join me?
